Below is an August 5, 2009 CPSC announcement to Yamaha Rhino riders. We agree that ATV users should ride safely, but we believe that the issuance of this announcement may do more harm than good. Hundreds of Yamaha Rhino rollover lawsuits allege that the Yamaha Rhino vehicles involved in the accidents are defectively designed. These design flaws, according to the complaints, include a narrow track width, high platform, high center of gravity, wheels too small to maintain stability, and top-heavy design. These defects can not be fixed with new half doors or additional passenger hand holds.
As is alleged in the Yamaha Rhino lawsuits, the hundreds of Yamaha Rhino accidents that have led to serious injury and death are not the fault of the drivers or the passengers. Drivers and their passengers are not getting hurt because they did not take safety measures. They are getting hurt because it was not possible to drive the Yamaha Rhino vehicles safely, according to the complaints.
On August 4, CBS ran a story about Yamaha Rhino accident injuries and deaths. In that story, CPSC commissioner Inez Tenenbaum said CPCS looking into taking additional action regarding these dangerous vehicles. Given the almost 60 deaths associated with Yamaha Rhino accidents, something should be done as quickly as possible.
CPSC ANNOUNCEMENT:
Off-Roading With Safety: CPSC Reminder To Yamaha Rhino Riders
To Stay Safe This Summer
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Summer is here and that means off-road riding is in high season in many communities. As side-by-side recreational off-highway vehicles (ROVs) continue to gain in popularity, so does the number of reports to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission of injuries and deaths involving these vehicles. Even though ROVs have a roll cage and seat belts, CPSC urges all riders and passengers to remain vigilant about safety before hitting the trails and while off-roading.CPSC’s safety message is especially targeted at Yamaha Rhino drivers and passengers. In March 2009, a free vehicle repair and helmet giveaway was offered to all owners of Rhino model 450, 660 and 700 ROVs, in order to enhance stability and reduce the potential for rollover, as well as improve occupant protection. About 145,000 vehicles were affected, and we urge every owner to act now to bring their Rhino into a Yamaha dealership for the free upgrades.
CPSC believes that in order to provide a safer ride, all Rhinos must have half-doors, additional passenger handholds, spacers on the rear wheels, and the rear anti-sway bar removed. Consumers should immediately stop using Rhino ROVs until the repairs are installed by a dealer. While these repairs will improve the safety of these vehicles, the repairs alone are not enough. Owners of vehicles should be sure that riders and passengers:
- wear their seat belt properly every time,
- strap on their helmet every time,
- follow on-product warnings,
- never remove the half-doors,
- never allow a child younger than 16 to drive,
- never allow a child to be a passenger if he/she is unable to place both feet on the floorboard with his/her back against the seat, and
- only operate off-road—the Rhino is not designed for use on public roads or paved surfaces.
Improving the safety system of the vehicle, combined with occupant attention to safe riding practices, will lead to reduced deaths and injuries.
As of June 23, 2009, CPSC staff has received reports of nearly 60 fatalities involving the 450, 660 and 700 models of the Yamaha Rhino. A number of very serious injuries have also been reported, including injuries to the head and neck, and incidents requiring surgical amputation of victims’ arms, legs, and fingers. Many of these cases appear to have involved rollovers at relatively low speeds and on level terrain.
